more-inThe area under the proposed Neelakurinji sanctuary has been a bone of contention as its boundaries are yet to demarcated though a notification for the sanctuary was issued in 2006. In a government order in 2008, the Devikulam Subcollector was appointed settlement officer for the proposed sanctuary. As per his report, there was 247.721 hectares (Survey number 62) at Vattavada village and 1,983 hectares at Kottakambur (Survey number 58) as per a resurvey at the proposed site. The Munnar Wildlife Warden’s report claims that the area under the proposed reserve will further fall on settling the claims of private individuals. The warden’s report also cited the disputes between the Forest Department and private individuals over the ownership of land in the area of the proposed park after the notification in 2006.

Source: The Hindu November 25, 2017 18:00 UTC